THE HANGOVER REPORT – Katori Hall’s sitcomish THE HOT WING KING coasts on the wave of raucous goodwill

Last night, Katori Hall’s new play The Hot Wing King opened at the Pershing Square Signature Center, courtesy of Signature Theatre Company. It’s been a busy year for Ms. Hall, who is also … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In Transport Group’s comprehensive revisal, Beth Malone irresistibly makes the role of THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN her own

This week, Transport Group’s rare revival of Meredith Willson’s 1960 musical The Unsinkable Molly Brown opened Off-Broadway at Abrons Arts Center. Actually, many have labeled the staging a “revisal” rather than a revival given … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The exquisitely campy but two-dimensional THE CONFESSION OF LILY DARE is vintage Charles Busch

This week, I was able to catch up with Charles Busch’s The Confession of Lily Dare, courtesy of Primary Stages. The production is playing at Off-Broadway’s classic Cherry Lane Theatre … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Young Jean Lee’s tuneful curiosity WE’RE GONNA DIE returns to New York in a slick new form

This week, Young Jean Lee’s We’re Gonna Die opened Off-Broadway at the Tony Kiser Theater courtesy of Second Stage Theater. The staging marks the return to New York of the … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Lauren Yee’s ambitious, uneven CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND succeeds as a variation on Scheherazade’s tales

Lauren Yee’s Cambodian Rock Band opened Off-Broadway this week via the Signature Theatre Company at the Pershing Square Signature Center. Over the last year or so, the play has been making … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Lucas Hnath’s harrowing, mold-breaking DANA H., starring an extraordinary Deirdre O’Connell, unsettles and beguiles

Last night, Lucas Hnath’s Dana H. opened Off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre. The psychological thriller comes to New York having previously played Chicago’s Goodman Theatre, where it was well-received. There’s … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The late Jerry Herman’s thrilling score sparkles in the Encores! revival of MACK & MABEL

This past weekend at New York City Center, I attended the final performance of the Encores! revival of Jerry Herman and Michael Stewart’s 1974 musical Mack & Mabel. The musical is notable … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Drew Droege depicts multitudes (again) in the slight but hilariously diverting HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOUG

Last night, I attended a late night performance of Drew Droege’s Happy Birthday Doug at the SoHo Playhouse. The venue is also where I previously caught Mr. Droege in his 2017 … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Pearl Cleage’s vibrant BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY receives a rock-solid production via Keen Company

Last night, Pearl Cleage’s Blues for an Alabama Sky opened at Theatre Row, courtesy of Keen Company. The production marks the play’s long-awaited New York debut, after having premiered at … Continue Reading →

THE HANGOVER REPORT – ANATOMY OF A SUICIDE, Alice Birch’s daring and unsparing experiment, pays off in spades

Last night, Atlantic Theater Company’s production of Anatomy of a Suicide by Alice Birch opened Off-Broadway at the Linda Gross Theater. Alice Birch is one of the more exciting and adventurous playwrights currently … Continue Reading →